Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, American Red Cross Partner to Launch “A Path for a Healthier Chatham Donation and Registration Drive”
CHICAGO, Ill. (June 29, 2025) – Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is proud to announce, “A Path for a Healthier Chatham – Donation and Registration Drive.” Presented in partnership with the American Red Cross, this community-focused event will provide local health and wellness resources that empower residents to take charge of their well-being.
The inaugural event will be held on Thursday, July 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jackie D. Lynch Building, 7936 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago. Community members will have the opportunity to receive health screenings and vital wellness information, as well as connect with local vendors and community resources. ”A Pathway to a Healthier Chatham” is a chance to foster community spirit, and discover pathways to a healthier future, while learning more about the importance of registering to become organ and tissue donors.
“We are incredibly excited to launch ‘A Path for a Healthier Chatham’ as a cornerstone initiative for community well-being,” said Marion Shuck, Executive Vice President, Governmental Relations and External Affairs at Gift of Hope. “This event embodies our commitment to wellness, recognizing that organ and tissue donation is one profound aspect of a larger journey toward healthier lives. We believe that by providing accessible health resources and screenings, we empower individuals to make life-affirming decisions, not only for themselves but potentially for others through the gift of donation.”
A blood donation drive during the event will spotlight the urgent need for blood donations. It is particularly important to increase blood donations from the African American community to support patients battling sickle cell disease.
“As a resident of Chicago’s South Side and an employee of the American Red Cross Biomedical team, I am dedicated to giving back to my community by educating and providing resources to potential blood donors,” said Tammy Winchester, Illinois Emerging Markets Manager, the American Red Cross.
“African American blood donors play a crucial role in supporting patients battling sickle cell disease, as we are the most compatible blood match for those requiring transfusions. There is an urgent need for more donors to meet this demand. Every day, I ask someone to consider donating blood because you never know when you or a loved one may need a transfusion.”
“A Path for a Healthier Chatham” is made possible by the collaboration of community partners including the American Heart Association, Cook County Health, Zing Health, National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, Southside Healthy Community Organization, Cook County Health, Pullman Bank & Trust, CTSHealth, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. professional nursing organization, Chase Bank, Aetna Health Insurance, Chicago Ald. William Hall (6th), Ald. Michelle Harris (8th) and media partner Omni Channel Radio, which will broadcast live from the event.
“A Path for a Healthier Chatham – Donation and Registration Drive”
Event Details:
When: Thursday, July 10, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Jackie D. Lynch Building, 7936 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago
Cost: Free and open to the public
Activities: Health screenings, wellness resources, local vendor connections, blood donation, and a registration drive to become an organ and tissue donors
Press Conference: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Gift of Hope office – 3rd Floor
About Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is the nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana. As one of 55 OPOs that make up the nation’s organ donation system, Gift of Hope works with 180 hospitals and serves 12 million people in its donation service area. Since 1986, its work has saved the lives of more than 29,000 organ transplant recipients and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of tissue transplant recipients. For more information, visit giftofhope.org.